Former Port Washington resident Kenneth P. Keul used to enjoy the looks he got when he rode his motorized scooter around the city with his parrot Tango on his shoulder.

Mr. Keul, 68, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, in an accident in the garage at his Jacksonville, Fla., home.

Mr. Keul was a rough and gruff seafarer who enjoyed working on his 32-foot power boat The Sinaway, his daughter Nicole Tomkiewicz said.

"Basically, he was like a sea captain. All he needed was a hat and pipe, but he didn't smoke," she said.

Mr. Keul was a lifetime member of the Port Washington Yacht Club and a member of the Sheboygan Boat Club.

He lost a leg to diabetes, but it didn't slow him down much, his daughter said.

"His second home — his garage — is where he spent most of his time fixing, making and repairing things," she said.

"He had every size nut, bolt, screw, nail and tool imaginable. If you needed it, he had it. I just remember him in his garage all the time."

Mr. Keul was born March 22, 1935, in Port Washington, the son of Peter and Dora Keul.

On Jan. 19, 1954, he married Marilyn Linneman of Milwaukee.

The couple lived in Milwaukee before moving to Port Washington in 1960.

Mr. Keul worked for Wisconsin Gas Co. for 20 years, retiring in 1995. He also worked for Simplicity Manufacturing Co. and Larry Wiltgen Excavation, both in Port Washington, and Allied Insulation in Milwaukee.

Mr. Keul moved to Jacksonville, Fla., in 1999.

Mr. Keul is survived by his wife Marilyn of Jacksonville, Fla.; six children, Janet (Ron) Ziegelbauer and Nicole (Steve) Tomkiewicz, both of Saukville, Sue Smith and Peter (Jackie), both of West Bend, David (Penny) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Laurie Keul of Brandon, Fla.; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters Betty Langlais of Saukville and Carol (Ed) Krief of Waubeka.

Mr. Keul was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Michelle Fick, great-granddaughter Ciara Smith and brother-in-law Gary Langlais.

A memorial service will be held in Port Washington at a later date.

Source - Ozaukee Press - Sep 18, 2003